Nearly 100 Vietnamese - Slovenian enterprises participate in trade connection, searching for partners

On September 26, in Hanoi, the Trade Promotion Agency (Ministry of Industry and Trade) in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sports of Slovenia (Business Development Agency of Slovenia) organized the Vietnam - Slovenia Trade Forum.

The highlight of the Forum is the Vietnam - Slovenia Business Connection Program with the participation of nearly 100 businesses in the fields of transportation, logistics... Through the Trade Program, businesses of the two countries have the opportunity to meet, exchange and discuss directly about issues of interest to them, the import and export needs of specific products, thereby contributing to promoting bilateral economic, trade and investment exchanges.

The Vietnam - Slovenia Trade Forum is an opportunity to open up new opportunities, continue to create favorable conditions for Vietnamese and Slovenian businesses to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the field of trade, actively contributing to promoting stable and balanced economic - trade relations between Vietnam and Slovenia, continuing to be a bright spot in bilateral relations.

Speaking at the Forum, Mr. Vu Ba Phu - Director of the Trade Promotion Agency - emphasized that the 30-year journey of cooperation between Vietnam and Slovenia has recorded very positive developments, creating momentum for economic and trade cooperation to develop. The clearest evidence is the exchange of delegations at all levels and business delegations between the two countries that has taken place recently.

Director of the Trade Promotion Agency Vu Ba Phu speaking at the Forum. (Photo: Thanh Hai)

The implementation of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has contributed to remarkable developments in trade between the two countries. Bilateral trade turnover increased more than 12 times, from 46.1 million USD (in 2012) to over 516 million USD (in 2023).

Regarding investment, by the end of August 2024, Slovenia ranked 92nd out of 146 countries and territories investing in Vietnam with 3 valid investment projects, total registered capital of 2.3 million USD.

“The Ministry of Industry and Trade hopes that in the coming time, Vietnam will welcome more Slovenian businesses to invest in our country,” Mr. Vu Ba Phu expressed, at the same time, assessing that although the growth rate is very impressive, the trade turnover between Vietnam and Slovenia is still modest.

According to Mr. Vu Ba Phu, there is still a lot of potential to expand trade and cooperation between the two sides, because the import and export structure between Vietnam and Slovenia is not only non-competitive but also complementary.

This is a favorable condition for businesses of the two countries to build and develop cooperative relationships and diversify supply chains, especially for industries that each side has strengths in such as: agricultural and aquatic products, textiles, footwear, wooden furniture, household appliances... of Vietnam or logistics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, electronic products, and machinery of Slovenia.

Vietnam can become a gateway for Slovenian businesses to access the ASEAN market as well as the Asia-Pacific region - markets that Vietnam has signed FTAs ​​with. In the opposite direction, Slovenia will be a gateway for Vietnamese businesses to enter the EU market, especially because this country has strengths in seaports and logistics to become a bridge closer, faster and lower cost.

In addition to the advantages, in the coming time, the two sides will continue to face global difficulties and challenges that are fast-changing, complex and difficult to predict; requiring open, deeply integrated economies such as Vietnam and Slovenia to cooperate more closely and effectively to respond and enhance the resilience of each economy. Strengthening bilateral economic and trade cooperation and taking advantage of the EVFTA Free Trade Agreement will contribute to bringing great benefits and opportunities to the business communities of the two countries.

On this occasion, Mr. Vu Ba Phu also expressed his hope that the business community and authorities of both sides would actively seek directions for cooperation development in the coming time. Accordingly, businesses of both countries need to effectively exploit the complementarity of the two economies, proactively connect, exchange information, understand the needs and tastes of the market; participate in trade and investment promotion activities of the two countries to effectively connect trade, seek specific business and investment opportunities.

"In the context of green development and global energy transition, Vietnam hopes that Slovenia can provide expertise in areas where Slovenia has strengths such as energy transport, logistics, maritime transport, high technology and renewable energy.

These are important areas that I believe will be new directions for promoting bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and Slovenia in the coming time. Businesses on both sides need to continue to actively implement the EVFTA and make better use of the opportunities this Agreement brings in the current context," Mr. Vu Ba Phu emphasized.

Signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency and the Slovenian Business Development Agency (SPIRIT Slovenia). (Photo: Thanh Hai)

Within the framework of the Forum, a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency and the Slovenian Business Development Agency (SPIRIT Slovenia) was also signed.

This Memorandum of Understanding will help the two sides create a stable, sustainable and systematic cooperation mechanism; establish a plan to implement trade promotion activities in the coming time; contribute to promoting the cooperation between the Trade Promotion Agency and SPIRIT Slovenia in particular and strengthening the economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and Slovenia in general.

At the Forum, delegates attending the Forum listened to presentations and introductions about the investment and business environment in Vietnam - Slovenia; and trade cooperation opportunities between Vietnamese and Slovenian enterprises.

In addition, there are 2 discussion sessions on sea/road transport services in the context of the current global supply chain focusing on the Asia-Pacific region and Europe.

Discussion session on sea/road transport services in the context of the current global supply chain focusing on the Asia-Pacific region and Europe. (Photo: Thanh Hai)

Previously, the Director of the Trade Promotion Department and units under the Ministry of Industry and Trade had a meeting with a delegation of logistics businesses from Slovenia.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/gan-100-doanh-nghiep-viet-nam-slovenia-tham-gia-ket-noi-giao-thuong-tim-kiem-doi-tac-287782.html